Ryan Howard's Workouts Are Off-Limits and the Team Isn't Answering Questions About Cortisone Shots to His Achilles

Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer made an attempt to take in Ryan Howard’s rehab routine in Clearwater, Florida last week. He was in the area anyway to cover the Red Sox, who were playing the Rays and would be heading to Philadelphia for an interleague series in a few days. His plan proved to backfire rather badly.

Brookover knew going in that Howard wouldn’t be conducting any interviews, but assumed he’d be able to see him take some ground balls and watch him hit. That seemingly simple plan ended up being foiled twice. Upon his first ejection from the ballpark, he was spotted by a stadium employee as Howard prepared to hit. It was explained to him that “no one from outside the Phillies organization is allowed to watch Ryan Howard work out.” That was boot number one.

After getting on the phone with the Phillies director of communications, Brookover learned of the team’s fear that they did not to want learn of a possible Howard setback on Twitter, preferring to be the first to know. Nonetheless, he was allowed to reenter the park with the understanding he wouldn’t do any tweeting and would not speak to Howard. That didn’t exactly go as planned because he was immediately rebuffed by minor-league infield coordinator, Doug Mansolino, in what had to be the best faux tough guy stance of the week.

Long story short, Mansolino made sure I was removed from the ballpark a second time. When I paused to continue a phone conversation with Casterioto, Mansolino gave me his best big-league stare-down. “Dude, relax, I’m leaving,” I told him. “It’s Doug, not Dude,” he bristled.

Quite the intimidator. Making matters infinitely worse, the organization has also refused to discuss the cortisone shots Howard received near the area of his Achilles tendon last September. While such shots are commonplace for elbow and shoulder injuries, shots administered anywhere near the Achilles tendon are said to be “far less common and far more problematic.”

As you’re well aware, less than three weeks after receiving said shots, Howard collapsed like he was gunned down by a sniper, tearing his left Achilles on the final play of Philly’s season in Game 5 of the NLDS against St. Louis.

Considering what doctors have stated about cortisone shots to that area, it seems rather foolish to have rushed him back for the postseason with so much at stake and knowing the risks, especially when you take into account the mountain of money the team has invested in Howard. Here’s Dr. Michael Schafer, chairman of the orthopedic surgery department at Northwestern University Hospital:

“There wouldn’t be any way that you would back me into the corner on anybody [with an Achilles problem] to go ahead and inject them. I’ve been in practice since 1974 and been involved in sports all my life. When it comes to the risk of an Achilles tendon tear, I’m concerned about cortisone.”

Ouch. The Phillies have some explaining to do. Given the silence thus far from team brass, Howard himself and the secrecy of his rehab, this situation is destined to get endlessly worse.

Comments

geoffreyvs hired a PR firm to get his son's coach fired; now I'm running for Senate!

I want to thank the Phillies front office for giving Howard that horrendous contract. In light of the money their giving to Howard and their struggles so far, I assume Cole Hamels is as good as gone next season.

SouthernAggression

So many to choose from, but I’m going here.

YARDWORD!!!

Braves took 2 of 3 in Tampa Bay. They have also taken 2 of 3 in LA (Dodgers), and swept in St. Louis. Now, if they could just start getting their act together at home and against their own division.

Also, this story really makes you wonder about how Howard’s actually progressing with his rehab. Could it be a lost year?

/drawing conclusions

http://twitter.com/SouvenirCity SouvenirCity

32 year old is healing like a 32 year old. Between his Achilles and Utley’s knees, that side of the infield is a bust. It’s a good thing they won in 2008. Sucks for Doc and Clifton that they may not get a really good shot at a title though.

3 baseball posts in a row. I dig.

ms621

Fantastic picture choice.

http://twitter.com/mantis915 phillymantis915

It’s a good thing they won in 2008. Sucks for Doc and Clifton that they may not get a really good shot at a title though.

The rebuild process is going to be bad. RAJ needs to be shit canned after this season.

coop247

Is this ballin?

/yardwork’d

http://www.majorleaguejerk.com/ payaso

Speaking of the Phillies and salary caps, 4 of the top 5 MLB payrolls are under .500 with the Yankees treading water at 21-20.

At the Philly/Red Sox game on Sat, we sat behind a girl with a Mayberry shirt. We had never heard of this guy, which prompted my brother and I to have a discussion on if this was the most obscure jersey we’ve seen. He has a Tony Clark Red Sox shirt, but I think this takes the cake.

What’s funny is that Mayberry went 3-4 on Sat to raise his average to .250-whatever.

scripty

…after receiving said shots, Howard collapsed like he was gunned down by a sniper, tearing his left Achilles on the final play of Philly’s season in Game 5 of the ALDS against St. Louis.

In fairness, the Phillies org presumed Howard would stand there and watch strike three go by in the final at bat in the NLCS. They had no idea that he’d actually swing the bat.

http://twitter.com/ButtersBC ButtersBC

3 baseball posts in a row. I dig.

I can only assume something about Adam Dunn’s return from the dead will be coming this afternoon…although it’s disheartening that him and Peavy are both kicking ass and they’re still only .500

cracker jack

At the Philly/Red Sox game on Sat, we sat behind a girl with a Mayberry shirt.

He is quite good looking

ms621

adam dunn on pace for 53 homers

/draws conclusions

BFFredo

Love the caption.

Tears in the ligaments is always the fear with these power hitters. Problem is now that they gave him that contract, the Phils are stuck with him for good.

http://twitter.com/ButtersBC ButtersBC

adam dunn on pace for 53 homers

Someone had to avenge Konerko

http://senyormadre.blogspot.com SenyorMadre

maybe the philly area is the center of the rideabout universe

http://www.majorleaguejerk.com/ spencer096

I told him. “It’s Doug, not Dude,” he bristled.

i guess he won’t be your doug.

Scouser

Fantastic picture choice.

You have seen the Photoshop meme for this picture, right?

http://twitter.com/SouvenirCity SouvenirCity

I can only assume something about Adam Dunn’s return from the dead will be coming this afternoon

Definitely better than last year. Still a 3 outcome player and you have to think there will be a slump or two at some point. I am impressed with Peavy but I would think the Sox want to keep him under 100 pitches a little bit more often.

I’m going on Tuesday against the Twins. Paulie is supposed to be back for that one.

cracker jack

You have seen the Photoshop meme for this picture, right?

Link?

http://senyormadre.blogspot.com SenyorMadre

Someone had to avenge Konerko

humber scared the power outta lahair

http://senyormadre.blogspot.com SenyorMadre

phillymantis, you follow me on twitter (ha!) but i didn;t follow you so i couldn;t see the meetup pics. can you confirm me please?

http://twitter.com/SouvenirCity SouvenirCity

humber scared the power outta lahair

Still curious if that came from the bench or if Humber felt the need to do something on his own.